WORK will start on Burnley's near £3million "new" bus station on Monday, October 8.

The main contractor will be John Turner and Sons (Preston) Ltd.

Stands at the Croft Street bus station will change from Sunday, October 7 with some buses leaving from adjacent streets.

Further information about the changes will be made later this month.

Leaflets will be distributed and details will also be available from the information centre on the station and from the Burnley and Pendle Bus Company.

The works are due to take 40 weeks with estimated final completion in July next year.

A welcoming environment for passengers will be provided by creating a concourse similar to an indoor shopping mall.

Every effort will be made by the contractor to minimise inconvenience but the public are asked to co-operate during the inevitable disruption.

Lancashire County Council are, Burnley Council's funding partners for the scheme, are to contribute £1.65million from local transport plan finance.

County Coun Nora Ward, cabinet member for the county's highways and transportation committee promised: "The partnership will deliver a real flagship project for Burnley."

Burnley councillor Steve Wolski, executive member for regeneration, added: "I am delighted this project is now under way."

County Coun Ward said the design for the new bus station paid particular attention to creating a more pleasant environment for passengers with increased safety and security as a priority.